Michaele Burn
Portfolio Strategist · Global Product Marketing Leader
I have spent 11+ years turning market gaps into revenue, most recently leading strategy and performance for a global product portfolio generating approximately $40M in annual revenue, with the business on track to deliver against 2026 goals at one of the most recognized names in professional grooming worldwide. I don't just manage products; I build the operating infrastructure around them, from standardized costing tools adopted company-wide to NPD process overhauls spanning 30+ departments. I am a rigorous systems thinker who also has the commercial instincts to know which gaps are worth closing.
Portfolios are only as strong as the decisions no one slowed down to make properly. I build the tools, the processes, and the shared language that let teams stop relitigating the same questions, so strategy can actually move. The goal is always a portfolio that's defensible at every stage of its life, not just at launch.
Career arc
The path here
Global Product Marketing Manager
Wahl Clipper Corporation · Sterling, Illinois2020-07 – Present
Owned end-to-end product portfolio strategy for one of the world's leading clipper and trimmer brands, translating customer insights and competitive intelligence into roadmaps that aligned leadership, cross-functional teams, and business objectives across professional and consumer lines.
- ▸Led product development and launch execution across 2023-2024, generating $14.5M in first-year revenue
- ▸Developed and deployed a standardized costing tool adopted across all of Product Management, improving margin evaluation, ROI analysis, and financial decision-making efficiency
- ▸Drove SKU rationalization initiative that delivered 71% cost savings and measurable operational efficiency gains across the portfolio
- ▸Co-led NPD process optimization across 30+ departments, creating SOPs and training resources that improved launch timelines and cross-functional prioritization
Product Marketing Manager
Best Cob Acquisition Group · Rock Falls, Illinois2018-07 – 2020-07
Joined an early-stage acquisition group to build out product marketing infrastructure from the ground up, identifying untapped market opportunities and establishing the operational foundations for scalable growth.
- ▸Launched two new product lines within two years, acquiring 10+ new customers and enabling strategic market expansion
- ▸Produced 20+ marketing assets including targeted messaging and creative materials to support campaign objectives across key audiences
- ▸Implemented a strategic procurement plan that eliminated 100% of procurement costs while simultaneously optimizing inventory levels
- ▸Established standardized procedures across all departments to drive company-wide continuous improvement and operational efficiency
International Trimmer Product Coordinator
Wahl Clipper Corporation · Sterling, Illinois2015-08 – 2018-06
Supported global SKU lifecycle management across international trimmer product lines, developing the market and operational fluency that would later define her broader portfolio leadership at Wahl.
- ▸Grew category sales by $2M+ through strategic product assortment and pricing optimization across global regions
- ▸Assisted in managing full lifecycle of global SKUs from NPD through end-of-life, ensuring sustained market positioning and profitability
- ▸Developed targeted marketing materials and delivered comprehensive sales training tailored to the unique needs of diverse international markets
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Background
Education
Master of Science (MS); emphasis in PRST · Parks, Recreation, Sport and Tourism
University of Missouri
2010 – 2012
3.8 GPA Completed a Master's thesis requiring advanced research, data analysis, and critical thinking. The project strengthened my ability to transform complex information into actionable insights, a skill that continues to support strategic decision-making and product management.
Bachelor of Science (BS) · Parks, Recreation, Sport and Tourism
University of Missouri
2006 – 2010
Honors: First Team Academic All Big XII (2009, 2010) Dean’s List (2009, 2010) Girls Got Game/ NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete (2009, 2010)
Recognition
Awards & Honors
First Team Academic All Big XII Honors
2009 & 2010Big 12 Conference
University of Missouri Strength and Conditioning Hardest Worker
2010University of Missouri Athletic Department
Selected by coaching staff out of 30+ athletes for exceptional training work ethic and leadership.
Girls Got Game/ NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete
2009 & 2010National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA)
Dean's List
2009 & 2010University of Missouri
Beyond the resume
Volunteer & Other
How Four Years of Division I Athletics Shaped My Leadership Philosophy
2006 - 2010Personal Story
As a four-year Division I athlete at the University of Missouri, I earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors and was recognized with a Strength and Conditioning Hardest Worker Award. Recognition for both academic excellence and dedication established a foundation that continues to define my leadership style today: a commitment to disciplined execution, teamwork, continuous improvement, and the belief that sustainable results are achieved through consistent effort and strong collaboration. My experience as part of a high-performing team reinforced the importance of trust, accountability, and collective success, principles that continue to guide how I lead cross-functional teams and drive business results.
Due diligence
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References are available. Reach out and I'll connect you directly.
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